Transcript Guided Notes on Climate Classification

Guided Notes on
Climate Classification
Chapter 14, Section 2
1. The Koeppen Classification system
uses the criteria of temperature,
precipitation, and distinct
vegetation to classify the earth’s
climate zones.
2. Tropical climates are characterized
by constant high temperatures. The
combination of heat and rain
produces tropical rain forests.
These regions are under the
influence of maritime tropical air.
3. The transition zones that border the
rainy tropics north and south of the
equator are known as tropical wet
and dry zones and have distinct dry
winter seasons. Savannas are
examples of tropical wet and dry
zones.
4. Dry climates cover about 30 percent of
the Earth’s land area and make up the
largest climatic zone. Most of the world’s
deserts are classified as dry climates.
Continental tropical air dominates these
areas, precipitation is low, and
vegetation is scarce.
5. The two subtypes of dry climates
are deserts and steppes, which are
more humid than deserts. They
generally separate arid regions
from bordering wet climates.
6. Humid subtropical climates are
influenced by the subtropical highpressure systems that are normally
found over oceans in the summer.
7. Marine west coast climates are
dominated by the constant inland
flow of air off the ocean, which
creates mild winters and cool
summers, with abundant yearly
precipitation.
8. Mediterranean climates are
found in Italy and Spain, and
are influenced by the
Mediterranean Sea.
9. The three subtypes of continental
climates are warm summer
climates, cool summer climates,
and subarctic climates. These
climates are the battlegrounds for
clashing tropical and polar air
masses.
10. Polar climates are characterized by
constant cold and low amounts of
precipitation because cold air holds
less moisture than warm air.
11. A microclimate is a localized
climate that differs from the
main regional climate.
12. Heat islands are caused by the presence
of many concrete buildings and asphalt,
making the climate warmer than
surrounding rural areas. This effect
occurs because asphalt and concrete
radiate far more heat into the air than do
grasslands, wooded areas and water.
This causes temperatures in large cities
to be significantly warmer than in
surrounding areas.